Action Plan - Never Say Die
Although in the early days back in South Wales there were frequent changes to the band line up, such obstacles were quickly overcome and the Action Plan line up become complete –Danny (Bass/Vocals), Thom (Guitars), Rich (Guitars), and Harry (Drums). Many years on and the pop punk quartet Action Plan is releasing their debut album Never Say Die.
From the moment the opener Hometown Hero punches its way through, pop punk becomes the name of the game. It is the perfect way to open an album, particularly a debut where this is the song that listeners will build their initial impressions of you on. The chorus has a great fist in the air chant and feet pounding section. This song grabs your attention and makes you want to stick it out for the albums remainder. Believe It Or Not is a slamming piece of fast paced, out of control pop punk and really pounds at your heart, making way for the blasts of Had It All and Never Say Die, creating anthems you will not be forgetting in a hurry. Live Strong is the frantic fragment of the release, staying in tune with the pop punk melodies present throughout the album and speeding things up.
When it comes to making the most significant impact, This One does the trick. This is a full party tune in all aspects. It is fun, has movable melodies, electric guitar solos and some strong vocal contributions, harmonies and chants - each aspect coming together to make the most of its four minute duration. So You Say has a darker rockier element to it, lighter on the pop punk and tougher guitar riffs racing through. The concluding track on the release, Suits And Ties opens quite mysteriously, before blasting full swing into a brilliant concussion to an outstanding eight track debut.
This album is one big pop punk party that will go down an even better treat when being performed live. There are brisk and ear piercing guitars pulsating throughout each and every track, crashing drum beats that will shake the room and hook laden choruses that will get an entire venue signing out loud. Although there are countless pop punk orientated bands out there are the minute, the sounds created by Action Plan will be enjoyed by fans of All Time Low, Set Your Goals and The Story So Far as well as help them gain fans of their own for their contribution to the industry.